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Pardee Lake is located 38 miles northeast of Stockton on the Mokelumne River. It's huge complex with a clean, expansive recreation area is particularly appealing to seniors and family groups because of immaculate, shaded campsites. Fishing, boating, and camping are the primary activities.

Pardee Dam forms a reservoir that encompasses 37 miles of shoreline, 2257 surface acres, and 209,950 acre-feet of water (69.4 billion gallons). The gravity arch dam was completed in 1929 and rises 345 feet above the river bed. At crest height the dam is 580 feet above sea level. Approximately 617,000 cubic yards of concrete were used in its construction. The water is used primarily for municipal supplies which serve over 1.1 million residents in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Because drinking water is stored in Pardee Reservoir, swimming, waterskiing, wading, and similar body contact activities are prohibited, and regulations are stictly enforced.

Weekly plants of trophy-size rainbow trout have produced an excellent cold-water fishery. Kokanee, small and largemouth bass, catfish, and various species of sunfish are also found in abundance.

Pardee offers a wide range of recreational opportunites on both land and water. With campers in mind, facilities include developed overnight campsites, R.V. sites with full hook-ups, day-use picnic areas, swimming pools, showers, a coffee shop, service station, and full-service marina. A ten lane boat launch ramp is immediately adjacent to the marina.

Pardee Reservoir Recreation Area was opened to the public in 1958. It is open daily from mid-February through mid-November. EBMUD oversees the operation and maintenance of facilities, determines recreation fees, and establishes rules and regulations. The recreational facilities are operated by a concessionaire.